The iPhone SE 4 and next iPads could bring significant 5G and Wi-Fi changes – here’s why
Apple likes to control as many aspects of its devices as possible – the company often claims that its control over both hardware and software allows it to do things its rivals can’t – and it looks like that could expand even further in 2025. According to a new report, future Apple devices will feature even more components designed and manufactured by the company.
That’s what’s in a new report from DigiTimesin any case. There, the outlet claims that the iPhone SE 4 will come with an Apple-made 5G modem in the first half of 2025 (though the mmWave aspect of the chip will still be made by Qualcomm, DigiTimes believes). After that, “select models” in the iPhone 17 series may follow later in the year.
That’s not all. Apple is reportedly rolling out its own Wi-Fi chip in new iPads next year. DigiTimes also suggests that the Wi-Fi chip could launch in the iPhone 18 series in 2026 instead.
Why would Apple do all this? One aspect is cost: by making components itself, Apple saves on paying licensing fees to companies like Qualcomm that design the current chips that Apple uses, and Apple has been known to try to wean itself off of its reliance on Qualcomm for some time. But another aspect could be that there are also consumer benefits that we could enjoy.
Wireless Upgrades
In addition to the potential cost savings, there are also suggestions that Apple could launch a new line of routers by developing its own Wi-Fi chip, which would revive a product line it previously sold in the form of the AirPort router.
That last point is a bit of a moot point. Apple discontinued the AirPort in 2018, but had long since given up on the product. It disbanded the router team in 2016, and stopped releasing new AirPort products in 2013. Now that the company is increasingly making money from digital services like Apple Music and flagship products like the iPhone 16, is there really a desire within the company to bring back a hardware peripheral that never sold particularly well in the first place? Only time will tell.
Ultimately, perhaps the only motivation for Apple is simply to gain more control over its supply chain. We know the company likes to bring as many components in-house as possible because it means Apple can better plan for the future features and capabilities of its devices. Sometimes that’s all the motivation you need.
